Discussion Boards

One thing that surprised me I. The story “ the house on maple street” was how she has a very highly expectation in the family and how they sold her dreams that they aren’t going to happen she was very discouraged after finding out they weren’t living in the big White House that was promised to them.  Even this her family can’t afford it but being able to move to a house so they won’t have to keep moving. She reacted as if they didn’t reach her requirements for the house.    One thing that intrigued me in the story of , “The house on mango street”. Is my family experiencing family activities that were done as a kid moving from one country to the other then moving twice in both places We always dreamed of living in a house but things aren’t the way we expected. Though we live in an apartment we still hope to own a house of our own. But when you get kids who experience these things tend to be antisocial or anxious about getting close to someone in the ears because tmmr or the other day they might be moved to a different area of the country and starting all over.     One part that puzzled me in the story “ the house on mango street” was the boys and girls part. It is weird that brothers and sisters aren’t allowed to speak to each other while being in public. But the logic of it made sense after having more reading and looking it up on.

In both stories “Snow White” and “where are you going where have you been” they both interacted with a fairy tail expression and experience. According to one theory, fairy tales assist individuals in exploring their unconscious minds and resolving psychological issues. The protagonist of “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” experiences tragedy as a result of her thoughts and aspirations, this is accurate. According to a different interpretation, the evil stepmother from “Little Snow White” represents the ego’s need for dominance and control. Since the antagonist in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is the protagonist’s ego, this is significant. The perspectives of Bettleheim aid in comprehending the subjects in this world. But also Similar to this, Anne Sexton’s poem “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ ‘ delves into the darker aspects of the original fairy tale, like jealousy and the desire for power. Since Sexton portrays the dwarfs as flawed individuals with their own concerns and objectives, her account of Snow White’s interactions with them is particularly excellent. This is in line with Bettleheim’s observation that by projecting psychological problems onto fictional characters, fairy tales enable readers to confront their own problems.

There are many observations that were made in both the story “ little Snow White” and “ where you going where have you been”  both had many similarities but one thing that stood out the most was both stories correlate with a narcissist story. In the reading “ show white” the step mom and the main character Snow White, as demonstrated snow white’s narcissism almost made her look a certain way but she realized it and gave in to disguised herself from the queen’s enticements.  She tried to do things that would make her feel beautiful. She was striving to enhance her beauty with goods that were being marketed to her, which is why her stepmother, “the queen,” made her first two attempts to assassinate Snow White. Snow White already had a stunning appearance, but she caved in to material desires to enhance her beauty with a corset and a comb (since a corset is recognized for boosting a woman’s figure and a comb to make her hair add to her attractiveness). Meanwhile, In the reading “where we going, where have you been ”  also has the same conflict with beauty to convince others for things they want in the reading Connie, who is also utterly narcissistic, often observes others to judge their attractiveness in comparison to her own. This might be interpreted as jealousy because if she does discover someone more attractive than herself or with a “better-looking” characteristic, she will do anything she can to surpass them in beauty, including changing the way she looks.  The subject of envy is clearly present in “Little Snow White” through her stepmother. She is capable of killing Snow White to become the “fairest of them all” (which she repeatedly tries to do), she is that jealous of her own stepdaughter.

Rena Korb’s opinion of the story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” is that it is loved as a wonderfully produced story. She believes the main heroine, Connie, is having difficulty understanding the world around her and encountering the unsavory Arnold Friend.  She depicts Connie, a 15-year-old girl, being enticed into a car with a bad man who could either rape or kill her. However, my interpretation of this narrative is about the real world that we live in today, which involves women. At the age of 15, we all know the adage “don’t talk to strangers,” but when someone is constantly begging someone to go along with them on a ride to top it off an very perilous ride. But on the other hand men try their hardest to exploit women. It’s not that every man intends to harm someone, but it’s pretty creepy when a man says, “Gonna get you babe,” then shows up at her house. Early in life it’s cool to stay nearby either young lady or young men that are more seasoned to depict a cool picture of herself for the companions around her yet additionally isn’t brilliant too. The story encourages young girls to recognize these warning signs and seek assistance rather than trying to do things on their own. Youngsters commit errors in life however some misstep can’t be reclaimed once finished.

One way I would rephrase the quote “Reading a poem is part attitude and part technique” I would rephrase it by saying “ while reading a poem the way you interpret it can have a difference”   In the poem “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun” is very much a love poem to show how he understands and grasp the life of his wife he used different things to match her with. “Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;“If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs are wires, black wires grow on her head.” While reading this line I had to reread multiple times to fully understand what the other meant. I tried different tones and ways of saying but in the end he was using words to describe his wife in a bad way. But also with a fast read you’ll think it is a love letter like I thought in the beginning of reading it.

“Reading a poem is part attitude and part technique. .The quote from the reading “How to Read Poem” by Edward Hirsch. In my own words, I would instead use, reading a poem is part imagination and critical thinking. I say this because in poems you need to expand your min far then what the poem is saying. Most times in poetry, there is many many literary devices used such as, figurative language, metaphors and more. They use them to help make their points more memorable. In this week’s sonnet “What lips my lips have kissed, and where and why”, it was one of the poems that caught my eye. I thought of it as a sad poem. I thought this since how the author is talking about where her lips been on her past lovers that are longer connected with each other. “And in my heart there stirs a quiet pain for unremembered lads that not again will turn to me at midnight with a cry”. She is reminiscing on her past.

In the poems, they both express the love they have for each other. But the poem “Why Do I Love You So Much?” Speaks more of a friend’s love/ the beginning of a relationship. Where everything was out of kindness and at ease in the poem it states “Because I trust you more than anyone in the world to listen, to help me through to remind me how to laugh when times are trying.” This quote in the poem speaks of how fairy tale the relationship is, how that person sees themselves with them forever and their trust there, its giving a full bond to someone they deeply care about.In the poem “How Do I love Thee?”  spoke more on love from a general perspective from someone who may experience it way more and fully understands it from the existence stage. “when feeling out of sight For the ends of being and ideal grace. I love thee to the level of every day’s Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.” spoke more of nature and the growing love for things around it, not fully on the inside of loving someone.

Identify the author and the literary work you are focusing on for your research essay.  I am using the short story by  Toni Cade Bambara “ The Lesson” Please share the actual word-for-word thesis statement of your research essay in your post.    She is outstanding among the group of kids because she realizes that she needs to change in order to break out of the cycle of poverty she lives in. Explain what specific kind of secondary source information you feel will support your thesis.   The specific kind of secondary information I am using is literary critique and the short story by Janet Ruth Heller  “Toni Cade Bambara’s Use of African American Vernacular English The Lesson”.  to support my message because it discusses and will back up my character’s main focused traits and also the language that’s been used in the story. Identify the BMCC databases you have explored to date and what the results have been.  While exploring in the BMCC Database I came across multiple source and different answers and reasons for thing such as articles, poems, books, speech and a lot more.

 There are many examples of different types of irony in the story as the narrator expresses his critical attitude to the first religion experience and to religion in general, makes clear that people don’t see the reality behind “the veil” of religion. Literary Critique and biographical articles will be used for the research essay. They will lead to deeper understanding of the author’s experience and treatment to religion, and how these feelings are represented in his works. JSTOR and Gale literature databases were used for searching the second sources. Three articles were chosen as the secondary sources for inquiring. “Looking for Langston: Themes of Religion, Sexuality, and Evasion in the Life and Work of Langston Hughes”, “The Embodied Freedom of Langston Hughes“ and “Religion in the Poetry of Langston Hughes”. These works disclose author’s experience and worldview, including religion. The parallels in his works towards religion can be found. And generally the author’s experience which is described in “Salvation” can be treated as a forerunner of his future treatment to religion.

  One Thing that surprised me in this book was the very ending of the story where she was in a state of shock thinking Brentley was dead but in fact he was alive. Why this surprised me is because we all thought the same thing in the story. I wonder what she was thinking. Did it seem like a dream to her or a nightmare ?  One thing that intrigued me about this story was the whole point of the story, because I too as the readed thought certain things as the main character but at the end was shocked at the results it was giving. One thing that puzzled me in this book was the death of the husband because at the twisted end he was then found dead. Did someone plan to kill him or did they just assume he was dead from nothing in return from something he was doing?

 What surprised me in this story was how the woman did her grieving process, she waited until the grief had passed to then stay in her room and relax allowing time to heal her from her pain. Also what surprised  me about this story was how she did the grieving in her room but no one she lives with seems to have checked up on her in the process of it. What intrigued me about this story was how she felt while being in the room starting to see and hear things she found fascinating to her. Blue sky and songs playing in her head. It seems like she was getting a sign from her husband about his death.  One thing that puzzled me in this story was the very beginning of it. I had a very different scene as to where the story may lead, it was all over the place, like I wasn’t sure if she was paralyzed or the feelings towards her husband became paralyzed.  

 What do you feel the story is about in its “interior?” In the “A Good Man is Hard To Find” it’s based on a wonderful family who stills lives with their grandmother and allow her to be the eldest in the house by picking and doing as she says. They seemed to be groomed by her. So I figure  they give off the energy of being more than what she is because she was the one who taught them to be better. I feel like the interior of this story was to show the spiritual life that the grandmother believes in or grow up on that they are finally getting to see the idea or the message in a different perspective, I  feel like the whole point of the story was to show the difference between (good or bad) to justify the conflict in a experience they might understand. The actions of someone can affect everyone around it.

“ A Good Man is Hard To Find” this story has a narrative of a 7 person household who took a family trip to Florida but had a disagreement with the grandma because she wanted to go to Tennessee. Which leads to a tragic road trip. In the book the family road was all superficially to the grandma because of her belief and upset feeling about the trip from not wanting to go to Florida, causing them to encounter major problems in life which they will soon realize. I feel like the interior of this story is to  show the conflict the family has but hides it behind the trip. The grandmother wanted everyone to think that she knows what is best for them and with her action almost cost them their life. The family will now realize that some people are good and bad and some may have evil spirits that can cause the outcome of something very dangerous.

In reading “Oedipus the King”, I found multiple  times of timeless human experiences and behaviors. One example shown in the play was the truth. While reading, “Oedipus” had a strong urge to find out what happened to the former king. He was tired of everyone around him advising him not to look into what happened. But as us humans, we always are willing to try to find out what really happened. Especially when you are the person in a high state of demand like he is, he should be able to know what happened. This was very difficult for Oedipus as our experiences may cause it to be difficult to get past things once said in our lives but never had the full truth. But eventually he found out about it and longs for it. Sometimes the truth isn’t always the best to be said and listening to others could help out in the long run.  

CHORUS: His skill apart there is besides only an old faint story.  OEDIPUS: What is it? 315I look at every story.  CHORUS: It was said that he was killed by certain wayfarers.  OEDIPUS: I heard that, too, but no one saw the killer.  CHORUS: Yet if he has a share of fear at all, 320 his courage will not stand firm, hearing your curse.  OEDIPUS: The man who in the doing did not shrink will fear no word.  CHORUS: Here comes his prosecutor: led by your men the godly prophet comes 325 in whom alone of mankind truth is native.   This story symbolizes a lot because it touches base on what he says. I chose this line in the story because it shows how words are being spread on things different people have believed. And other fairy tales. Stories that are being told can cause people to have different thoughts . the power one’s words hold can bring in a major difference in the way someone acts. But sticking to what you believe and what you know is right is the key. A closed minded individual usually often disregards the words others may have to say to them.

The Chorus, as it was said, represents the collective voice of citizens. Their feelings: worries, fears and suffering, and through the chorus we can see the “mood flow” of this tragedy. Firstly the chorus is furious in search of the culprit of all their troubles. It is realised through the examples of “language enhanced by varying beauties”. “as the bloody handed murderer, The doer of deeds that none dare name? Now is the time for him to run with a stronger foot than Pegasus for the child of Zeus leaps in arms upon him with fire and the lightning bolt”(544-550). Words about Pegasus and Zeus mean that the murderer can not escape retribution, as Pegasus is bringing lightning bolts for Zeus to cut him him off. The next line also supports their belief that retribution will overtake the villain. “are the Fates that never miss” (552). The fate destined by the Gods and Oedipus is “a lightning bolt” which does justice. However, after the conversation between the prophet and Oedipus, citizens are seized with fear and uncertainty. It is depicted by another example of enhanced language. “I am in a flutter of foreboding” (569). They feel that something is going to happen. They start to doubt in Oedipus, they can not choose whom to believe, but they remember that Oedipus is a savior of the city. “saw his wisdom and in that test he saved the city. So he will not be condemned by my mind.” (590-592). So in this passage transition to anxiety and foreshadowing of something terrible is implied.

In the passage “Araby” by James Joyce ”. The main character of this book seems to be a bit of a fun child, someone who is easily influenced or distracted. I also feel like everyone has a good sense of things they want or can see themselves in the future. Which causes an early age of trying to accomplish that. However, the boy in the story seems to have a really big heart and deep affection for women/ girls.  He has an ideal person set to his head that he finds attractive. Fast forward to his uncle with his grown up ideas/ thinking , causing the boy in the story to feel bad or let down because of his drinking habits etc. As the boy proved his maturity by allowing him to have the day they planned even though he wanted to attend the bazaar , he didn’t rush time or give off an impression that he didn’t want to be there. Coming to the end of the story the boy felt disappointed and let down. Because of the things his uncle portrayed in front of him. His maturity showed a lot also at the end of the story because he asked  for money and time to be able to spend time with the person he finds attractive and beautiful at the bazaar.

The boy in “Araby” can be described as sensitive, romantic and imaginative which makes him to think about unrealistic situations around his environment. The boy also seems as if he is innocent since he gets attracted to his friends sister. However towards the end of the story  the boy  rushes to the bazaar to buy a gift for Mangans sister to impress her. the boy e was so passionate to buy a gift for the girl that he did not wait to finish dinner, he just ran to the bazaar but gets disappointed after finding out that the bazar has been closed for the night.While on his way home the boy realizes  that his feelings for the girls were based on a fantasy rather than reality and this is the point where the boy realizes that he is headed towards adulthood and his childhood has come to an end..

Araby by James Joyce is a story about a boy who lives in Dublin at the beginning of the 20th century. The boy appears in a very depressed setting. The city of those years is as dry as dust, every meter of the streets breathes with hopeless and “preserved” immutability. The boy, as a young explorer, is having fun in the dull neighbourhood. He is a cheerful kid. The character is inspired by the image of a girl who lives in the house opposite his. The boy is full of hope and expectations, even being loaded like a cargo ship making his way through the dirty and smelly quarter full of dirty winos “I imagined that I bore my chalice safely through a throng of foes” (2). It characterizes him as a great dreamer.  Sometimes in  an excessive way, he prefers to live in his dream world, and doesn’t know how to act in the real one. He can see the “light” in this place, it is enough to be happy. After a much-desired conversation with his “muse”, a new aim appears in his life. It is a magical and mysterious Araby bazaar. The boy is inspirited by that wonderful image. He desperately follows his ideals, treats the images and ideals as a shrine his thoughts and words leave his lips like a prayer. It defines him as a idealistic and romantic boy. Sometimes he feels something great and sad, that “fills” all his heart. Such a wide range of feelings shows that the character is a highly sensitive person. Finally reaching the bazar, which is not the bazar he dreamed, all his hopes, dreams and ideals are broken. He meets the dry Dublin reality. The beautiful veil that covered the magnificent images had been torn off. He’s matured, in […]

The little boy in this story is the narrator himself. He is currently 12 years old and I find him quite pessimistic for someone his age. He’s more of an honest type and quick to always tell the truth but he doesn’t make it to the end of the story because he doesn’t want to disappoint his aunt and the whole congregation who prays and cries for him. He identifies as someone who is quite down to earth and down to earth. He does not want to lie, as Westley does, and get up simply because he is tired of the mourners’ bench. When he does finally get up, it is because he feels guilty for disappointing his aunt and the congregation, who have been waiting for some time. According to the text and the way he exposes things I can say that he only believes what he sees. in the moment that he stands and is celebrated for having come to God, he is actually experiencing a terrible loss of faith. He no longer believes in Jesus, because Jesus did not come to him in his moment of need.

The two people i would like to focus on would be Sylvia and Sugar, i felt like they had the most focus and outstanding answers they were giving the main characters in the whole show, they are the most out spoken in everything. in the first scene where they were left to give ten scents to the cab driver they have decided to keep the change. They have a very strong personality towards everything. Sylia and sugar have the same exact personality when it comes to Miss Moore, in the book  “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara  in page one both Sylvia and Sugar stated   “And she was always planning these boring-ass things for us to do,”. They felt as if going to the toy store wasn’t really the fun they were looking for. In the book Sylvia  seems more of the need to prepare and whether or not the amount of money we have will do and make sure everyone knows or has an idea of what to expect when going into the store. Sugar on the other hand seems more like a free spirit or someone who makes sure she knows what and what she has to do to either be able to purchase this now or later with saving.

The character I chooses from the book  “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara was sugar and Mercedes, Mercedes was more of a well grown individual she seems very chill from the other kids more to herself and more of knowing when it’s too much when having fun with kids less fortunate than her like sugar. In the bookstore Mercedes responds that the toy store was just as if she didn’t pep the price increase etc. she didn’t fully understand or comprehend because she’s used to expensive things. Sugar on the other hand planned and documented things and tried to find a way of either saving or getting older enough to afford the cost of things she wanted.in the book sugar was more free spirited about everything. “Then Sugar lays bets as to how much it’ll be when we get there.” She was super excited and very informative, about everything. she also give off the life of the party vibe.

Although Sugar and Sylvia, as all the other children – except Mercedes perhaps – initially had the same mentality when first venturing on this trip, Sugar’s outlook seems to have shifted, learning something new and giving her maybe hope to be better and do better. I think Sugar learned humility, while the trip to FAO Schwarz hardened Sylvia just a little bit more. Ms. Moore, recognizing we are all a product of our surroundings and society, is emphatically trying to teach them all to do better. Her teaching method reminds me of a common phrase in the black community “if you knew better, you’d do better”. Sugar seems to have had that click in her head, the metaphorical light bulb going off for her; now that she knows better, or on her way to knowing better, she can and will do better. Sylvia on the other hand, is hardened by the thought of people being able to frivolously spend money on a toy while the thought of her even asking for a toy that costs $35 would be met with looks of audacity for even asking. I say Sugar seems to have been hardened and prideful. She says something, at least twice in the writing, that alludes to her pride. On the last paragraph of page 4, Sylvia says she won’t talk to Ms. Moore because she won’t give her the satisfaction, and the very last sentence of the writing, she states “but ain’t nobody gonna beat me at nuthin”. In another instance, she states she’s mad, but she won’t but won’t give Ms. Moore the satisfaction, yet again, of knowing she was affected by the trip to the store. Sylvia seems to feel defeated and ashamed of who/what she is, while Sugar seems either be hopeful for better, or […]

This piece – although very short – spoke volumes.   If I had to describe Langston, the 12 year old prepubescent boy, I might describe him as inquisitive, honest, trustworthy and hopeful. I assume he’s prepubescent because of his innocence and naivety, with waiting for the metaphorical light to come into him. Waiting for Jesus to just…..fill him with the Holy Spirit as it is described and as we often hear (in certain cultures and communities). In a few short sentences though, Langston was no longer naive and innocent,  but doubtful, saddened, disappointed and maybe slightly angry. The complexity of the many ironies that occurred in this piece, this can be a heavy topic of discussion. Westley exclaiming “God damn!…….” before going to be “saved” to avoid being encouraged to be saved any longer. Langston’s aunt assuming he was crying tears of joy and love for Jesus entering his life, when in reality it was the opposite. I think the biggest irony I noticed was Langston losing hope, sight and belief in Jesus in the very place that worshippers go to find him and be closer to him. Langston grew up on a Sunday afternoon, after not finding Jesus.

Mercedes and Sylvia were chosen as their responses for Miss Moore’s “lesson” are in contrast the most. For full understanding, it is necessary to define what kind of characters they are before visiting the toy store. Silvia, the protagonist and the 1st person narrator, is a teenage girl who lives in the ghetto with a poor family. She has a willful personality. It is clear from her way of talking and behaviour. “Go to the Sunset and terrorize the West Indian kids and take their hair ribbons and their money too” (2). Her name can foreshadow it too (Sylvia means spirit of the wood in Latin). At the same time, she is a low-educated and ill-mannered girl, what is can also be disclosed from her speech and deeds. The author uses AAVE in Sylvia’s lines. Sylvia feels very comfortable in a ghetto environment, she is a part of its every-day life.Mercedes is from a richer family. In spite of other characters, her parents can afford more studying stuff and pay more attention to her education. Her name also foreshadows her higher position in society. In spite of the other children in this story, she uses the standard English that shows her better education. Getting to the shop, Sylvia sees the toys that she has never seen before and feels that she really wants them. However, when she sees the price of the toy boat she is stunned. Getting out of her ghetto, she starts to understand that there is another life which is absolutely different. She can’t understand that somebody spends more than a thousand dollars on a toy. Before coming to the shop, Sylvia feels confused and shy, not related to that kind of society, feels like a stranger. At the shop, Sylvia experiences like in the church there. […]

 The boy in this story is very religious. In the book “Salvation” by Langston Hughes. He is very trustworthy and brave for everything he has accomplished and listens too.he is also very patient in waiting for things he wants. Some words I would describe him by would be brave, religious, patience, and hopeful. Reason being is because the boy put all his hopes into it because he would have met Jesus. He is very pure in everything he wants.at the end of the story the boy became hopeful and very disappointed in the fact that he waited all day for it and it never happened. He has changed to realize that everything in life doesn’t happen the way you want it to, and sometimes things aren’t the exact way others may have thinked about it. He has changed to notice the difference between things that may seem easy doesn’t happen in the same time span as you want it too.

In the short story “Salvation” by Langston Hughes. I would describe him as a loyal and trustworthy person. He’s also patient in the things he wants or believes in having. The boy seemed like an only child, someone who is easy to convince or easy to talk to. “Still I kept waiting to see Jesus.” This shows how patient he is about things he really wants, the author in this book shows how precious a human being is until things don’t go their way, they tend to change and adapt differently.in the end of the story he being sad and upset that he didn’t get the result he wanted too he never seen Jesus. He has changed in ways that sometime not everything that seems to be perfect are true and sometimes things doesn’t always happen the same moment you would like it too or the way you may like it.

When I first read this piece, I was unsure of the topic and the purpose of this piece. The more I read, I became more enveloped in this story; seeing Estaban and what he meant to the village. In my previous English course, my professor focused on gender and its role in society. Although this annoyed me, as I thought “this is an English course not psychology or sociology”, it did open my eyes to subject matters outside of what I envisioned “English” and literature encompassed. In my opinion, perhaps this piece was assigned as a first reading, to broaden what we (I) envision as literature or english. The writing style itself caused me to reread a few times, but it also drew me into the story. Perhaps this piece was assigned in order to dip our toes into the waters of imaginative pieces; to open our view of different styles of writing. I personally enjoyed this piece. This writing provided me a different perspective, in the same way the people of the village gained a different perspective on life after “meeting” Estaban.

The story “The Most Handsomest Man That Drowned” is about a drowned man that washed up on the shore of a small village of fishers. The villagers see the man as prosaic and unimpressive. The villagers then set the man up for burial but as they do that they realize how admirable of his looks and appearance they then begin to idealize him. The reason I explained what the story is about in very few words is because it leads to why the professor chose this article as the first read. I believe you chose this article first because its a great example of “magical realism”. Which takes aspects of the combined reality and fantasy into one. Another reason. The story expressed the power of human imagination and the ways in which people can shape their own perceptions and interpretations of reality.

In this story we can trace how excessive pressure on child can change his perceptions of belief. At the beginning of the story, he entered the church being innocent, hopeful and faithful boy, It was pressure of his relatives and the rest of the older people around him. Despite that, he was quite consistent and calm being surrounded by dozens of people singing and shouting about salvation, he continued sitting and waiting for Jesus. He was afraid to lie to other people, to the God and what is most important to himself. It characterizes him as a very fair fellow. However, under the pressure of all people’s expectations ,It was a climax, the small boy needed help, needed some explanations. So he doesn’t believe in Jesus anymore, or blames him for his indifference. Also It is clear that he is a conscientious boy. He lied, but he was sorry about that, trying to hide his head under the quilts not to be ashamed by his lying, so the boy was in desperation. As far as the main character is the author of this story his perception of that situation when he was a grownup already can be analyzed . The author uses phrases which describe his attitude, to show that salvation was a kind of compulsion rather than his own will. People treated the boy as a lamb, at the same time they were described by author as homogeneous mass of crying people, so the author criticizes the excessive pressure of grownup people on children. Maybe Jesus doesn’t need any help to come?

I believe this story was assigned to us because of the real world connections most of us can make. this story elaborates on little thing such as feelings not being met some days, thinking about things people said to you as an Illusion to get you to think a certain way or feel a certain way about life. being open minded about something can lead to other things. this story also shares details about allowing some one to communicate with you brings  new thinking and perspective on life. the book also inform me that someone can change a person with in a due time. In the book when the character was at his lowest point in life there were kind people who cared for his life that help him and showed or spoken word to him that made him realize that doing that only leads to one end but the other leads to a lot. I felt like this was shared to the class to tell us that communication with our peers might help someone in the future that need , not only for life saving events but for work or other personal use.

I believe Professor Conway assigned this story to express the different emotion and thoughts one person can have. This story also brings different scenarios in our minds about how things run in our head. As for example the author mentions (illusion), illusions’ are meant for things people are fouled to see or just the way something may have appear might give off a different way. for example ” the sea let them self think it was an enemy ship” the sea allowed it self to think it was something then actually seeing the element for what it is. the sea remembers the different harms a boat may have cost but as always the most con out ways the pros. This is a really good story, I felt like it was assigned to us to show us that with one story we can have many different perspective and viewing of it, different (illusions) of one story with multiple meaning.

This story was chosen for this class as an introductory to literature by the professor for many reasons. “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World”, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez introduces the reader with a meaningful plot that catches the readers attention right as the story starts. The creation of imagery and feeling what the characters are describing are very prevalent in this story. Another aspect to why this may have been assigned to us is because of the moral lesson in the story. Throughout the plot, the little buys and woman all cater to and assist there man that has drowned, even if they found the whole situation a little strange. The story consists of “magical” or “unreal” moments in a sense because of the change in weather and environment felt by the women in the presence of the drowned man, who was described to be very bountiful. This story holds a deeper meaning in which it will be interesting to figure out what that is exactly using many of the strategies and techniques in English.

I think the reason “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the world” story was chosen first is to remind us that there are still good people in the world. Even though the “Handsomest Drowned Man” was a stranger to the villagers, they took it as their active duty to make him feel special and accepted by “dressing him, combing his hair, cutting his nails and shaving him” (4) regardless of him being a corpse. This story reminded me that, for example, in the subway station, when we see someone in dying need, we need to find the time to assist instead of using our phones to make a video and post it on social media to show the world what’s happening to that person. Also, because of his appearance, the Villagers made it their duty to beautify their village. As quoted in the story, “everything would be different from then on, that their houses would have wider doors, higher ceilings, and stronger floors so that Esteban’s memory could go everywhere” (9). This quote reminds me that regardless of the loss of Esteban, his memory lives on. This story also makes me think of what is currently happening in our country when it comes on to Police brutality. Several protests across the country because of the recent killing of “Tyre Nichols.” I think to myself if strangers in a small village could have been this kind and welcoming to a corpse, why is it that we in society can’t do the same to each other? We protested and requested reform, but nothing but the “Handsomest Drowned man” was rescued from the water and treated with dignity, changing strangers’ way of life. This story is powerful.